US lawmakers' visit with Dalai Lama sparks China anger

A congressional delegation that met with the Dalai Lama this week has sparked anger from China, which also pushed back on recent U.S. legislation urging the country to mend ties with the spiritual leader.

The bipartisan congressional delegation, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), met with the Dalai Lama on Wednesday at his residence in Dharamshala, India, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The leader has resided there since fleeing Tibet in 1959.

The AP noted that China does not recognize officials from the Tibetan government who are in exile and has not had a dialogue with the Dalai Lama since 2010. The news service reported that the lawmakers said their visit was meant to highlight the Tibet Dispute Act passed last week that encouraged China to heal ties with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said the White House "must not sign the bill into law,” according to AP. Lin warned that China will take “resolute measures” if the bill is signed by President Biden.

“It’s known by all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion,” Lin said.

Lin urged U.S. officials to “have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world,” AP reported.

The report said McCaul touted the success of the congressional delegation in remarks following the meeting on Wednesday.

“Just this week our delegation received a letter from the Chinese Communist Party, warning us not to come here… but we did not let the CCP intimidate us for we are here today,” he said, according to AP.

The Associated Press contributed.